Explore This Park

Alerts In Effect

Contact Us

Castle Lightning

J. Walton

On June 25, 1862, Richmond newspapers published the story of J. Walton, a member of the 7th Georgia Battalion who attempted to break out of Castle Lightening. Walton’s strategy was to lower himself from his window, jump down to a shed underneath, and escape. He was shot after ignoring the order to stop from the sentinel. Although shot through the thigh, Walton was undeterred and continued to attempt escape until he was felled by a second shot which ended his life.

Charles Bernard

Charles Bernard of the 15th Louisiana Regiment, imprisoned at Castle Lightening for desertion, also crafted an escape plan to lower himself from his third story window to the ground using a makeshift rope. Unfortunately for Bernard, he did not make it safely to the ground, but instead fell from a great height, receiving mortal wounds.